Panther men’s hoops is nearing a co-conference title.
In the last weeks of their regular season Franklin closed out their Mountain Eight schedule, playing their final six games against conference opponents. With five straight victories including four in blowout fashion, they now stand one win shy of sharing the regular-season title with East Henderson.
On Jan. 29, the team traveled to Tuscola to rehash a Panther home blowout win Jan. 6. There both teams played at a breakneck pace in the first, ending the quarter with Franklin up 28-20. Will Rauers, Jack Teesateskie and Gunner McConnell combined for 24 points, four steals and seven assists.
Franklin’s offense slowed down somewhat in the second, led by Teesateskie and McConnell with five points apiece. Nevertheless they ended the half up 46-31.
Franklin dominated the Mountaineers in the third, getting seven points, six assists, two steals and a block from Teesateskie. Rauers sank four 3-pointers in the quarter to extend Franklin’s lead to 36. Peyton Hervey added five points in the fourth en route to an 86-48 rout.
On Feb. 4, the team returned to Tom Raby Court to host North Henderson. In a rematch of a 10-point Panther road win Jan. 9, North came out firing in the first, scoring seven of its first eight points. Franklin soon answered however, scoring 10 of its last 12 including six from Hervey to end the quarter up 11-9.
Rauers turned red-hot in the second, racking up six points, three steals and one assist. North kept pace on the other end, leading 26-25 at the half.
Hervey and Teesateskie heated up in the third, combining for 13 points, three assists and a steal. Once again North matched them point-for-point, ending the quarter tied at 43.
The Knights heated up in the fourth, taking a five-point lead with less than three minutes to play. Rauers refused to go quietly however, leading a furious comeback with five points, an assist and two steals for a thrilling 60-57 win.
Two nights later the Panthers returned to Tom Raby Court to rehash a 12-point loss at Smoky Mountain Jan. 12, the Mustangs’ first win in the Battle of Cowee Mountain across 11 games dating back to February 2020.
Franklin seemed out for revenge on their rivals in the first, racking up two blocks and seven steals including three apiece from McConnell and Rauers. Rauers and Teesateskie combined for 20 points to end the quarter up 29-8.
Rauers stayed hot in the second, pouring in 12 more points and another steal. Franklin’s defense held firm at the other end to finish the half with a 56-20 lead.
Up by more than 35 points at the break, Franklin triggered the state’s second-half running clock rule, getting six points from McConnell in a quick third quarter. Hervey added four points in the fourth en route to an 84-35 demolition.
With their sixth straight win including five in the Mountain Eight, Franklin improved their record to 19-4 overall and 11-2 in the conference, where they ended the week tied with East Henderson for first. The Panthers hosted 1-12 West Henderson in their last regular-season game after press time Feb. 10, while East traveled to 2-11 Tuscola the same night. The Panthers and Eagles split two regular-season games this year, each winning on their home floor.
After finishing their regular season, Franklin prepared for the start of the Mountain Eight Conference Tournament, planning a trip to Smoky Mountain for Round 1 Feb. 12 (time TBD). Following the conference final (day and time TBD), they’ll prepare for the 5A state playoffs, for which they’re currently ranked third out of 59 teams statewide.